THE UNIVERSITY of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Spiking Jaguars wanted to announce their intention to reclaim the throne that once was theirs for many years.
Yesterday, they did it in the loudest of ways as they took down none other than the reigning champions, University of San Carlos (USC) Spiking Warriors in the opening playdate of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s volleyball tournament at the Aznar Coliseum.
Pushed out of the fight for the title last season by these very same Spiking Warriors, USJ-R paid their tormentors back in spades with a 25-16, 25-21, 25-17 straight sets victory that completely underscored their readiness to contend for the championship once more.
Former national youth team setter Mark Kevin Petancio, who competed in the 5th Asean School Games last June, masterfully set the table up for his teammates, namely Kevin Labay and James Lawas whose thunderous attacks annihilated the defense of USC en route to opening their season in emphatic fashion.
However, USC was not the only champion team to fall on opening day as the girls squad of USJ-R got upset, interestingly, by the Lady Baby Warriors in a thrilling three-set encounter, 13-25, 25-19, 25-15. In only other game in the girls’ competition, the University of Southern Philippines Foundation defeated the University of Cebu, 25-23, 25-17.
Meanwhile, in the boys’ division, the defending champions USJ-R Baby Jaguars took care of business as they fought off the Southwestern University Baby Cobras, 25-18, 25-21. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio